Having a wobble over the sofa I’ve ordered - how to proceed

[FromageFromMars]

After a long and boring search, I ordered a sofa, chair and footstool from Tetrad which blew the budget but I reasoned it would be worth it for something handmade. The lead time is 12 weeks and it’s due to be delivered at the end of this month.

I'm now having a wobble about whether I’ve done the right thing. It’s £2.5k more than I had planned to spend, is velvet which I’ve heard is hard to care for and is very low so I worry about older visitors being comfortable. It looked stunning in the showroom which was an amazing converted mill but I worry it won’t look quite as good in my house.

I will lose a lot of money cancelling now (over £1k). The living room has been delayed massively so it won’t be ready by the time the sofa arrives either so it’s going to be a while before I can see them in situ. What would you do in my shoes please?

I have a velvet couch and it's super easy to maintain and clean! Do you actually like this couch, budget aside?

@readingismycardio, I fell in love with it when I first saw it despite it not meeting my ‘rules’ (I really wanted a chaise end sofa but that wasn’t an option). I’m a bit worried that it only looked so nice due to the set up in the mill. I think what’s done it is my friend has the same sofa and she’s saying it needs a lot of daily plumping and is very low to sit on. I also didn’t love it in her room although she’s ordered a different colour to me and her living room has a very different feel to mine.

Hmm it’s hard isn’t it. I had a velvet sofa from habitat, maybe it was me, but I found it a bastard to keep it looking good. But I did have 3 children.

Have you got pets?

I have a small pale, medium fur dog who sheds a fair bit but she’s not destructive thankfully. Kids are teens too. The velvet is beautiful and soft, I just worry it won’t look good for very long. Perhaps I should have got something with washable covers. I’ve attached a pic of it here.

I'll be honest. I would love to have a sofa like that. I desire this and lust after that sort of sofa every time Im browsing for sofas

But

We have a cat
I have a clumsy OH
I have bad knees
I have a bad back
I have indigestion a lot (soft sofas no good for this)

I need washable covers

This may not be applicable to you but I wonder whether its better to take the hit and get something more practical for now

You can get great stain repellents now - have a google.
We lusted after some very beautiful furniture when we bought our new house and practicality won out. We ended up with an Ikea sofa with washable covers and instead of a lovely oak oiled table, an Ikea table and the same with the rug. The dog has developed incontinence, red wine, coffee and coke have been spilt, kids have got drunk and spilt alcohol over the table, their cousin has vomited on the sofa - and every time something like this happens I am so bloody grateful I did not spend £6k on the sofa and £3k on the table and the rug and bleachable because shit does happen and I want my house to look nice but it's a home and we live with imperfect people and animals. I buy expensive lighting and artwork - beautiful stuff the buggers can't destroy!

I love it.
I had a velvet sofa for the longest time. Cats don’t scratch velvet. One threw up over it, we cleaned it with a Vax and came up like new. Velvet indestructible.

We have a velvet sofa very like that and have four dogs and three children. We haven’t had any problems with stains and marks and find it very easy to look after.

The only thing I would say is that you should always look at EBay. We picked up both our dream sofas there in mint condition for a fraction of the retail price. Yes it took around 3 /4 months to get them both but worth the wait.

If you’re anything like me, I overthink every major purchase then spend the entire wait doubting my decision.

That said, I recently bought a faux velvet sofa bed and the fabric is awful. It’s totally unsuitable for my dog and I’ve had to buy a cheap cushion cover thingy (a la Shein) to try to protect it. That is specific to my sofa though and hopefully your fabric will be better quality.

If you have older relatives visiting, maybe get a bucket chair for them?

I’m sure it’ll be lovely when it’s here.

I've had a navy velvet sofa for several years, it hasn't got any marks and looks good, no problems with the dog.

Get a cute blanket for the dog to sit on. It is absolutely gorgeous sofa

It’s gooooooooorgeous!😍😍

Hi Op, I ALWAYS have a huge wobble when buying furniture - especially something like a Sofa! Try and channel what you did like about it, maybe tell us why you fell in love with it? Or sometimes, seeing it again might ease your worry? We've been trying to buy a new sofa for 3 months now but I just can't make my mind up, so I'm not really much help!

OP I was the same, ordered 2 sofas, footstool and then questioned myself that it was too much. They're here now and I love them , but what you love, life is far too short to worry about keeping 'stuff' good.

Are you not getting if scotch guarded? Mine is velvet and scotch guarded and any spills wipe right off. Sofa is gorgeous by the way.

Hi OP, I'd be having the same wobble but I'm an overthinker. You said you fell in love with it which I think is the main thing. I'd ignore what your friend is saying, everyone is different. You said the lounge isn't finished yet so you can make adjustments to the room to make sure it fits in with the decor. I'd go with it, you fell in love with it for a reason and do you really want to go back to square one looking for another one?

Velvet is very durable, easy to clean. Unless you buy leather you always need rugs, throws for dogs. It's gorgeous by the way 💙

I love velvet. Not keen on feathers though due to plumping, can u change the cushion inserts to foam? Sometimes it’s a cheaper option.

I love it!

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advice. I’m definitely an over thinker and very indecisive! I can’t bear the thought of having to drag the kids out to sit on yet more sofas whilst being harassed by the sales staff so there is that. I guess that’s part of my worry - was this the right one or was I just fed up of looking.

The fabric has been scotchguarded and I bought the extra insurance plus will add as an item to my home insurance. I’d forgotten about that so I’m already feeling a bit better about its longevity.

Thinking about it, my friend hadn’t styled hers much as she didn’t buy the (stupidly expensive) matching scatter cushions which really help as it’s a very deep seat.

Thanks again everyone. Feeling much happier to go ahead. I do wish I’d not got the footstool though as it’s £1k and probably not worth it.

That’s a good point - I could always have the seats reinforced with foam if it becomes a nuisance to keep plumping them. It wasn’t an option at time of purchase though.

I have a DFS velvet sofa and it was a fraction of that price yet still looks amazing 4 years on. Yours looks beautiful 😍

This has made me realise my anxiety partly stems from the fact that I’ve never spent this kind of money on a piece of furniture ever. I’ve bought cheaper cars in fact 😆 All my sofas have been second hand except for a cheap out of the box one from a catalogue that lasted about 4 years before it was trashed (young kids and dearly departed cat). I was still paying the damned thing off when it went to the tip! The rest of the furniture will be second hand or cheap. I will be splashing out on one of those washable rugs though as I feel that will be a good investment.

I have a cat and a black velvet sofa . Cat rarely goes on it but if she does then a quick going over with a clothes brush soon sorts that out.

Your new sofa looks lovely and I'd be very excited for its delivery.